Isoquinoline ether compounds as mglur4 allosteric potentiators, compositions, and methods of treating neurological dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Isoquinoline ether compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

The amino acid L-glutamate (referred to herein simply as glutamate) isthe principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian centralnervous system (CNS). Within the CNS, glutamate plays a key role insynaptic plasticity (e.g., long term potentiation (the basis of learningand memory)), motor control and sensory perception. It is now wellunderstood that a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders,including, but not limited to, schizophrenia general psychosis andcognitive deficits, are associated with dysfunctions in theglutamatergic system. Thus, modulation of the glutamatergic system is animportant therapeutic goal. Glutamate acts through two distinctreceptors: ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The firstclass, the ionotropic glutamate receptors, is comprised of multi-subunitligand-gated ion channels that mediate excitatory post-synapticcurrents. Three subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptors have beenidentified, and despite glutamate serving as agonist for all threereceptor subtypes, selective ligands have been discovered that activateeach subtype. The ionotropic glutamate receptors are named after theirrespective selective ligands: kainate receptors, AMPA receptors and NMDAreceptors.

The second class of glutamate receptor, termed metabotropic glutamatereceptors, (mGluRs), are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) thatmodulate neurotransmitter release or the strength of synaptictransmission, based on their location (pre- or post-synaptic). ThemGluRs are family C GPCR, characterized by a large (˜560 amino acid)“venus fly trap” agonist binding domain in the amino-terminal domain ofthe receptor. This unique agonist binding domain distinguishes family CGPCRs from family A and B GPCRs wherein the agonist binding domains arelocated within the 7-strand transmembrane spanning (7TM) region orwithin the extracellular loops that connect the strands to this region.To date, eight distinct mGluRs have been identified, cloned andsequenced. Based on structural similarity, primary coupling tointracellular signaling pathways and pharmacology, the mGluRs have beenassigned to three groups: Group I (mGluR1 and mGluR5), Group II (mGluR2and mGluR3) and Group III (mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8). Group ImGluRs are coupled through Gαq/11 to increase inositol phosphate andmetabolism and resultant increases in intracellular calcium. Group ImGluRs are primarily located post-synaptically and have a modulatoryeffect on ion channel activity and neuronal excitability. Group II(mGluR2 and mGluR3) and Group III (mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8)mGluRs are primarily located pre-synaptically where they regulate therelease of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate. Group II and Group IIImGluRs are coupled to Gαi and its associated effectors such as adenylatecyclase.

mGluR4 belongs to the group III mGluR subfamily and is located inpredominantly presynaptic locations in the central nervous system(Benitez et al., 2000; Bradley et al., 1996; Bradley et al., 1999;Mateos et al., 1998; Phillips et al., 1997) where it is functions as anauto- and heteroreceptor to regulate the release of both GABA andglutamate. mGluR4 has also been shown to be expressed at a low level insome postsynaptic locations (Benitez et al., 2000). Numerous reportsindicate that mGluR4 is expressed in most brain regions, particularly inneurons known to play key roles in functions of the basal ganglia(Bradley et al., 1999; Corti et al., 2002; Kuramoto et al., 2007; Marinoet al., 2003a), learning and memory (Bradley et al., 1996), vision(Akazawa et al., 1994; Koulen et al., 1996; Quraishi et al., 2007),cerebellar functions (Makoff et al., 1996), feeding and the regulationof hypothalamic hormones (Flor et al., 1995), sleep and wakefulness(Noriega et al., 2007) as well as many others. There are now a number ofliterature reports describing a role for mGluR4 modulation inParkinson's disease (Battaglia et al., 2006; Lopez et al., 2007; Marinoet al., 2005; Marino et al., 2003b; Ossowska et al., 2007; Valenti etal., 2003), anxiety (Stachowicz et al., 2006; Stachowicz et al., 2004),motor effects after alcohol consumption (Blednov et al., 2004),neurogenic fate commitment and neuronal survival (Saxe et al., 2007),epilepsy (Chapman et al., 2001; Pitsch et al., 2007; Snead et al., 2000;Wang et al., 2005) and cancer, particularly medulloblastoma (Iacovelliet al., 2004).

In addition, there is evidence that activation of mGluR4 receptors(expressed in islets of Langerhans) would inhibit glucagon secretion(Uehara et al., 2004). Thus, activation of mGluR4 may be an effectivetreatment for disorders involving defects in glucose metabolism suchashypoglycemia, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

Also, there are reports that activation of Group III mGluRs,specifically mGluR4, may be an effective treatment for neuroinflammatorydiseases, such as multiple sclerosis and related disorders (Besong etal., 2002).

Also, that activation of Group III mGluRs, specifically mGlu4 positiveallosteric modulators (PAMs), may be an effective treatment forneuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and relateddisorders (Besong et al., 2002; Taylor et al., 2003; Fallarino et al.,2010).

There are two variants of the mGluR4 receptor which are expressed intaste tissues; and thus activation of mGluR4 may be used as tasteenhancers, blockade of certain tastes, or taste agents, flavoring agentsor other food additives (Kurihara, 2009; Chaudhari et al, 2009).

Despite advances in mGluR4 research, there is still a scarcity ofcompounds that effectively potentiate mGluR4 which are also effective inthe treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated withglutamatergic neurotransmission dysfunction and diseases, As well asinflammatory central nervous system disorders, medulloblastomas,metabolic disorders and taste enhancing associated with glutamatergicdysfunction and diseases in which mGluR4 receptor is involved. Further,conventional mGluR4 receptor modulators typically lack satisfactoryaqueous solubility and exhibit poor oral bioavailability. These needsand other needs are satisfied by the present invention.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, the invention, in one aspect, relates tocompounds useful as allosteric modulators of mGluR4 receptor activity,methods of making same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, andmethods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associatedwith glutamate dysfunction, for example Parkinson's disease, using same.Further disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful fortreating a disease related to mGluR4 activity. In one aspect, thedisclosed compounds can affect the sensitivity of mGluR4 receptors toagonists without binding to the orthosteric agonist binding site oracting as orthosteric agonists themselves. A “receptor allostericagonist”, as used herein, is generally defined as a ligand thatfunctions as both an allosteric modulator and as an agonist on its own(though the latter is usually only at higher concentrations). Thepresence of a the receptor allosteric agonist (Ago-PAM) activity mayoffer advantages in various CNS and neurological disorders where thebasal glutamatergic tone is low in given brain regions.

Disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction or other disease state associated with mGluR4 activity in amammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least onecompound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunction inthe mammal, the compound having a structure represented by the followingformula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for potentiating mGluR4 activity in a subjectcomprising the step of administering to the subject at least onecompound at least one compound having a structure represented by thefollowing formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods of potentiating mGluR4 activity in at leastone cell comprising the step of contacting at least one cell with atleast one compound having a structure represented by the followingformula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof, in an amount effective to potentiatemGluR4 receptor activity in the at least one cell.

Also disclosed are compounds having a structure represented by thefollowing formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound havinga structure represented by the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

Also disclosed are methods for potentiating mGluR4 activity in at leastone cell comprising the step of contacting at least one cell with atleast one disclosed compound in an amount effective to potentiate mGluR4receptor activity in at least one cell.

Also disclosed are methods for potentiating mGluR4 activity in a subjectcomprising the step of administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of at least one disclosed compound in a dosage andamount effective to potentiate mGluR4 receptor activity in the subject.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a disorder associatedwith mGluR4 neurotransmission dysfunction or other mGluR4 mediateddisease states in a mammal comprising the step of administering to themammal at least one disclosed compound in a dosage and amount effectiveto treat the disorder in the mammal.

Also disclosed are methods for making a compound comprising the steps ofproviding an amine compound having a structure represented by thefollowing formula:

as shown in the Examples below, wherein the variables are definedherein.

Also disclosed are the products of the disclosed methods of making.

Also disclosed are methods for the manufacture of a medicament forpotentiating mGluR4 receptor activity in a mammal comprising combining acompound having a structure represented by the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are the products of the disclosed methods for themanufacture of a medicament.

Also disclosed are uses of a compound for potentiating mGluR4 receptoractivity in a mammal, wherein the compound has a structure representedby following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states associated with mGluR4 activity ina mammal comprising the step of co-administering to the mammal at leastone compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunctionin the mammal, the compound having a structure represented by a compoundof the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof, with a drug having a known side-effect ofincreasing metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states associated with mGluR4 activity ina mammal comprising the step of co-administering to the mammal at leastone compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunctionin the mammal, the compound having a structure represented by a compoundof the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof with a drug known to treat a disorderassociated with increasing metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states associated with mGluR4 activity ina mammal comprising the step of co-administering to the mammal at leastone compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunctionin the mammal, the compound having a structure represented by a Alsodisclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states associated with mGluR4 activity ina mammal comprising the step of co-administering to the mammal at leastone compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunctionin the mammal, the compound having a structure represented by a compoundof following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof with a drug known to treat theneurotransmission dysfunction or other disease states.

Also disclosed are kits comprising a compound of the present invention.

Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of a neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states associated with mGluR4 activity ina mammal comprising the step of co-administering to the mammal at leastone compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat the dysfunctionin the mammal, the compound having a structure represented by a compoundof following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof, and one or more of a drug having a knownside-effect of increasing metabotropic glutamate receptor activity, adrug known to treat a disorder associated with increasing metabotropicglutamate receptor activity, and/or a drug known to treat theneurotransmission dysfunction.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means ofthe elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention and the Examplesincluded therein.

Before the present compounds, compositions, articles, systems, devices,and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood thatthey are not limited to specific synthetic methods unless otherwisespecified, or to particular reagents unless otherwise specified, as suchmay, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only andis not intended to be limiting. Although any methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, example methods andmaterials are now described.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by referenceto disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein areprovided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of thepresent application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admissionthat the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publicationby virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication providedherein can be different from the actual publication dates, which need tobe independently confirmed.

A. Definitions

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a functionalgroup,” “an alkyl,” or “a residue” includes mixtures of two or more suchfunctional groups, alkyls, or residues, and the like.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, a further aspect includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms a further aspect. It willbe further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number ofvalues disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as“about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. Forexample, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is alsodisclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particularunits are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

As used herein, the term “receptor positive allosteric modulator” refersto any exogenously administered compound or agent that directly orindirectly augments the activity of any form (for example, homomeric,heteromeric, oligomeric, or interacting with other proteins or cellularcomponents) of the receptor in the presence or in the absence of theendogenous ligand (such as glutamate, L-serine O-phosphate (L-SOP),other endogenous ligands, other neurotransmitters, etc.) in an animal,in particular a mammal, for example a human. The term “receptor positiveallosteric modulator” includes a compound that is a “receptor allostericpotentiator” or a “receptor allosteric agonist,” as well as a compoundthat has mixed activity as both a “receptor allosteric potentiator” andan “mGluR receptor allosteric agonist.”

As used herein, the term “receptor allosteric potentiator” refers to anyexogenously administered compound or agent that directly or indirectlyaugments the response of any form (for example, homomeric, heteromeric,oligomeric, or interacting with other proteins or cellular components)of the receptor produced by the endogenous ligand (such as glutamate,L-serine O-phosphate (L-SOP), other endogenous ligands, otherneurotransmitters, etc.) when it binds to an allosteric site of any formof receptor in an animal, in particular a mammal, for example a human.The receptor allosteric potentiator binds to a site other than theorthosteric site (an allosteric site) and positively augments theresponse of the receptor to an agonist. As it is predicted to induceless desensitization of the receptor, activity of a compound as areceptor allosteric potentiator provides advantages over the use of apure receptor allosteric agonist. Such advantages can include, forexample, increased safety margin, higher tolerability, diminishedpotential for abuse, and reduced toxicity.

As used herein, the term “receptor allosteric agonist” refers to anyexogenously administered compound or agent that directly augments theactivity of any form (for example, homomeric, heteromeric, oligomeric,or interacting with other proteins or cellular components) of thereceptor in the absence of the endogenous ligand (such as glutamate,L-serine O-phosphate (L-SOP), other endogenous ligands, otherneurotransmitters, etc.) in an animal, in particular a mammal, forexample a human. The receptor allosteric agonist binds to the allostericglutamate site of the receptor and directly influences the orthostericsite of the receptor. the term “receptor positive allosteric modulator”refers to any exogenously administered compound or agent that directlyor indirectly augments the activity of the receptor in the presence orin the absence of the endogenous ligand (such as glutamate, L-serineO-phosphate (L-SOP), other endogenous ligands, other neurotransmitters,etc.) in an animal, in particular a mammal, for example a human. Theterm “receptor positive allosteric modulator” includes a compound thatis a “receptor allosteric potentiator” or a “receptor allostericagonist,” as well as a compound that has mixed activity as both a“receptor allosteric potentiator” and an “mGluR receptor allostericagonist.”

In some aspects of the disclosed methods, the subject has been diagnosedwith a need for treatment of one or more neurological and/or psychiatricdisorder and/or any other disease state associated with glutamatedysfunction prior to the administering step. In some aspects of thedisclosed method, the subject has been diagnosed with a need forpotentiation of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity prior to theadministering step. In some aspects of the disclosed method, the subjecthas been diagnosed with a need for partial agonism of metabotropicglutamate receptor activity prior to the administering step. In someaspects, the disclosed methods can further comprise a step ofidentifying a subject having a need for treatment of a discloseddisorder.

As used herein, the term “treatment” refers to the medical management ofa patient with the intent to cure, ameliorate, stabilize, or prevent adisease, pathological condition, or disorder. This term includes activetreatment, that is, treatment directed specifically toward theimprovement of a disease, pathological condition, or disorder, and alsoincludes causal treatment, that is, treatment directed toward removal ofthe cause of the associated disease, pathological condition, ordisorder. In addition, this term includes palliative treatment, that is,treatment designed for the relief of symptoms rather than the curing ofthe disease, pathological condition, or disorder; preventativetreatment, that is, treatment directed to minimizing or partially orcompletely inhibiting the development of the associated disease,pathological condition, or disorder; and supportive treatment, that is,treatment employed to supplement another specific therapy directedtoward the improvement of the associated disease, pathologicalcondition, or disorder.

As used herein, the term “prevent” or “preventing” refers to precluding,averting, obviating, forestalling, stopping, or hindering something fromhappening, especially by advance action. It is understood that wherereduce, inhibit or prevent are used herein, unless specificallyindicated otherwise, the use of the other two words is also expresslydisclosed.

As used herein, the term “diagnosed” means having been subjected to aphysical examination by a person of skill, for example, a physician, andfound to have a condition that can be diagnosed or treated by thecompounds, compositions, or methods disclosed herein. For example,“diagnosed with a disorder treatable by potentiation of mGluR4 activity”means having been subjected to a physical examination by a person ofskill, for example, a physician, and found to have a condition that canbe diagnosed or treated by a compound or composition that can favorablypotentiate mGluR4 activity. As a further example, “diagnosed with a needfor potentiation of mGluR4 activity” refers to having been subjected toa physical examination by a person of skill, for example, a physician,and found to have a condition characterized by abnormal mGluR4 activity.Such a diagnosis can be in reference to a disorder, such as Parkinson'sdisease, and the like, as discussed herein.

As used herein, the phrase “identified to be in need of treatment for adisorder,” or the like, refers to selection of a subject based upon needfor treatment of the disorder. For example, a subject can be identifiedas having a need for treatment of a disorder (e.g., a disorder relatedto mGluR4 activity) based upon an earlier diagnosis by a person of skilland thereafter subjected to treatment for the disorder. It iscontemplated that the identification can, in one aspect, be performed bya person different from the person making the diagnosis. It is alsocontemplated, in a further aspect, that the administration can beperformed by one who subsequently performed the administration.

As used herein, the term “receptor allosteric agonist”, as used herein,is generally defined as a ligand that functions as both an allostericmodulator and as an agonist on its own (though the latter is usuallyonly at higher concentrations).

As used herein, the term “diagnosed with a need for potentiation ofmetabotropic glutamate receptor activity” refers to having beensubjected to a physical examination by a person of skill, for example, aphysician, and found to have a condition that can be diagnosed ortreated by potentiation of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

As used herein, “diagnosed with a need for partial agonism ofmetabotropic glutamate receptor activity” means having been subjected toa physical examination by a person of skill, for example, a physician,and found to have a condition that can be diagnosed or treated bypartial agonism of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

As used herein, “diagnosed with a need for treatment of one or moreneurological and/or psychiatric disorder or any disease state associatedwith glutamate dysfunction” means having been subjected to a physicalexamination by a person of skill, for example, a physician, and found tohave one or more neurological and/or psychiatric disorder associatedwith glutamate dysfunction.

As used herein, the terms “administering” and “administration” refer toany method of providing a pharmaceutical preparation to a subject. Suchmethods are well known to those skilled in the art and include, but arenot limited to, oral administration, transdermal administration,administration by inhalation, nasal administration, topicaladministration, intravaginal administration, ophthalmic administration,intraaural administration, intracerebral administration, rectaladministration, and parenteral administration, including injectable suchas intravenous administration, intra-arterial administration,intramuscular administration, and subcutaneous administration.Administration can be continuous or intermittent. In various aspects, apreparation can be administered therapeutically; that is, administeredto treat an existing disease or condition. In further various aspects, apreparation can be administered prophylactically; that is, administeredfor prevention of a disease or condition.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to an amount that issufficient to achieve the desired result or to have an effect on anundesired condition. For example, a “therapeutically effective amount”refers to an amount that is sufficient to achieve the desiredtherapeutic result or to have an effect on undesired symptoms, but isgenerally insufficient to cause adverse side effects. The specifictherapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient willdepend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treatedand the severity of the disorder; the specific composition employed; theage, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the timeof administration; the route of administration; the rate of excretion ofthe specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugsused in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employedand like factors well known in the medical arts. For example, it is wellwithin the skill of the art to start doses of a compound at levels lowerthan those required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and togradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. Ifdesired, the effective daily dose can be divided into multiple doses forpurposes of administration. Consequently, single dose compositions cancontain such amounts or submultiples thereof to make up the daily dose.The dosage can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event ofany contraindications. Dosage can vary, and can be administered in oneor more dose administrations daily, for one or several days. Guidancecan be found in the literature for appropriate dosages for given classesof pharmaceutical products. In further various aspects, a preparationcan be administered in a “prophylactically effective amount”; that is,an amount effective for prevention of a disease or condition.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers tosterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions oremulsions, as well as sterile powders for reconstitution into sterileinjectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use. Examples ofsuitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehiclesinclude water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol,polyethylene glycol and the like), carboxymethylcellulose and suitablemixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil) and injectableorganic esters such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained,for example, by the use of coating materials such as lecithin, by themaintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions andby the use of surfactants. These compositions can also contain adjuvantssuch as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersingagents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be ensured by theinclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents such asparaben, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid and the like. It can also bedesirable to include isotonic agents such as sugars, sodium chloride andthe like. Prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form canbe brought about by the inclusion of agents, such as aluminummonostearate and gelatin, which delay absorption. Injectable depot formsare made by forming microencapsule matrices of the drug in biodegradablepolymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide, poly(orthoesters) andpoly(anhydrides). Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and thenature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release canbe controlled. Depot injectable formulations are also prepared byentrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions which are compatiblewith body tissues. The injectable formulations can be sterilized, forexample, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter or byincorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solidcompositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water orother sterile injectable media just prior to use. Suitable inertcarriers can include sugars such as lactose. Desirably, at least 95% byweight of the particles of the active ingredient have an effectiveparticle size in the range of 0.01 to 10 micrometers.

A residue of a chemical species, as used in the specification andconcluding claims, refers to the moiety that is the resulting product ofthe chemical species in a particular reaction scheme or subsequentformulation or chemical product, regardless of whether the moiety isactually obtained from the chemical species. Thus, an ethylene glycolresidue in a polyester refers to one or more —OCH₂CH₂O— units in thepolyester, regardless of whether ethylene glycol was used to prepare thepolyester. Similarly, a sebacic acid residue in a polyester refers toone or more —CO(CH₂)₈CO— moieties in the polyester, regardless ofwhether the residue is obtained by reacting sebacic acid or an esterthereof to obtain the polyester.

As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include allpermissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, thepermissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched andunbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, and aromatic and nonaromaticsubstituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include,for example, those described below. The permissible substituents can beone or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds.For purposes of this disclosure, the heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, canhave hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents oforganic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of theheteroatoms. This disclosure is not intended to be limited in any mannerby the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Also, the terms“substitution” or “substituted with” include the implicit proviso thatsuch substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of thesubstituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution resultsin a stable compound, e.g., a compound that does not spontaneouslyundergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization,elimination, etc.

In defining various terms, “A¹,” “A²,” “A³,” and “A⁴” are used herein asgeneric symbols to represent various specific substituents. Thesesymbols can be any substituent, not limited to those disclosed herein,and when they are defined to be certain substituents in one instance,they can, in another instance, be defined as some other substituents.

The term “alkyl” as used herein is a branched or unbranched saturatedhydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl,isopentyl, s-pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl, and the like. Thealkyl group can be cyclic or acyclic. The alkyl group can be branched orunbranched. The alkyl group can also be substituted or unsubstituted.For example, the alkyl group can be substituted with one or more groupsincluding, but not limited to, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkoxy, amino, ether, halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, orthiol, as described herein. A “lower alkyl” group is an alkyl groupcontaining from one to six (e.g., from one to four) carbon atoms.

Throughout the specification “alkyl” is generally used to refer to bothunsubstituted alkyl groups and substituted alkyl groups; however,substituted alkyl groups are also specifically referred to herein byidentifying the specific substituent(s) on the alkyl group. For example,the term “halogenated alkyl” specifically refers to an alkyl group thatis substituted with one or more halide, e.g., fluorine, chlorine,bromine, or iodine. The term “alkoxyalkyl” specifically refers to analkyl group that is substituted with one or more alkoxy groups, asdescribed below. The term “alkylamino” specifically refers to an alkylgroup that is substituted with one or more amino groups, as describedbelow, and the like. When “alkyl” is used in one instance and a specificterm such as “alkylalcohol” is used in another, it is not meant to implythat the term “alkyl” does not also refer to specific terms such as“alkylalcohol” and the like.

This practice is also used for other groups described herein. That is,while a term such as “cycloalkyl” refers to both unsubstituted andsubstituted cycloalkyl moieties, the substituted moieties can, inaddition, be specifically identified herein; for example, a particularsubstituted cycloalkyl can be referred to as, e.g., an“alkylcycloalkyl.” Similarly, a substituted alkoxy can be specificallyreferred to as, e.g., a “halogenated alkoxy,” a particular substitutedalkenyl can be, e.g., an “alkenylalcohol,” and the like. Again, thepractice of using a general term, such as “cycloalkyl,” and a specificterm, such as “alkylcycloalkyl,” is not meant to imply that the generalterm does not also include the specific term.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-based ringcomposed of at least three carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, norbornyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkyl” is atype of cycloalkyl group as defined above, and is included within themeaning of the term “cycloalkyl,” where at least one of the carbon atomsof the ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkyl group andheterocycloalkyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkyl group and heterocycloalkyl group can be substituted with oneor more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, ether, halide, hydroxy, nitro, silyl,sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein.

The term “polyalkylene group” as used herein is a group having two ormore CH₂ groups linked to one another. The polyalkylene group can berepresented by a formula —(CH₂)_(a)—, where “a” is an integer of from 2to 500.

The terms “alkoxy” and “alkoxyl” as used herein to refer to an alkyl orcycloalkyl group bonded through an ether linkage; that is, an “alkoxy”group can be defined as —OA¹ where A¹ is alkyl or cycloalkyl as definedabove. “Alkoxy” also includes polymers of alkoxy groups as justdescribed; that is, an alkoxy can be a polyether such as —OA¹-OA² or—OA¹-(OA²)_(a)-OA³, where “a” is an integer of from 1 to 200 and A¹, A²,and A³ are alkyl and/or cycloalkyl groups.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of from 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bond. Asymmetric structures such as (A¹A²)C═C(A³A⁴)are intended to include both the E and Z isomers. This can be presumedin structural formulae herein wherein an asymmetric alkene is present,or it can be explicitly indicated by the bond symbol C═C. The alkenylgroup can be substituted with one or more groups including, but notlimited to, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino,carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro,silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least three carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bound, i.e., C═C. Examples of cycloalkenyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl,norbornenyl, and the like. The term “heterocycloalkenyl” is a type ofcycloalkenyl group as defined above, and is included within the meaningof the term “cycloalkenyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms ofthe ring is replaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to,nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkenyl group andheterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkenyl group and heterocycloalkenyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether,halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol asdescribed herein.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 24carbon atoms with a structural formula containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bond. The alkynyl group can be unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to,optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylicacid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl,sulfo-oxo, or thiol, as described herein.

The term “cycloalkynyl” as used herein is a non-aromatic carbon-basedring composed of at least seven carbon atoms and containing at least onecarbon-carbon triple bound. Examples of cycloalkynyl groups include, butare not limited to, cycloheptynyl, cyclooctynyl, cyclononynyl, and thelike. The term “heterocycloalkynyl” is a type of cycloalkenyl group asdefined above, and is included within the meaning of the term“cycloalkynyl,” where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring isreplaced with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen,oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus. The cycloalkynyl group andheterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. Thecycloalkynyl group and heterocycloalkynyl group can be substituted withone or more groups including, but not limited to, optionally substitutedalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino, carboxylic acid, ester, ether,halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro, silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol asdescribed herein.

The term “aryl” as used herein is a group that contains any carbon-basedaromatic group including, but not limited to, benzene, naphthalene,phenyl, biphenyl, phenoxybenzene, and the like. The term “aryl” alsoincludes “heteroaryl,” which is defined as a group that contains anaromatic group that has at least one heteroatom incorporated within thering of the aromatic group. Examples of heteroatoms include, but are notlimited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Likewise, the term“non-heteroaryl,” which is also included in the term “aryl,” defines agroup that contains an aromatic group that does not contain aheteroatom. The aryl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. The arylgroup can be substituted with one or more groups including, but notlimited to, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aldehyde, amino,carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halide, hydroxy, ketone, azide, nitro,silyl, sulfo-oxo, or thiol as described herein. The term “biaryl” is aspecific type of aryl group and is included in the definition of “aryl.”Biaryl refers to two aryl groups that are bound together via a fusedring structure, as in naphthalene, or are attached via one or morecarbon-carbon bonds, as in biphenyl.

The term “aldehyde” as used herein is represented by a formula —C(O)H.Throughout this specification “C(O)” is a short hand notation for acarbonyl group, i.e., C═O.

The terms “amine” or “amino” as used herein are represented by a formulaNA¹A²A³, where A¹, A², and A³ can be, independently, hydrogen oroptionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “carboxylic acid” as used herein is represented by a formula—C(O)OH.

The term “ester” as used herein is represented by a formula —OC(O)A¹ or—C(O)OA¹, where A¹ can be an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl groupas described herein. The term “polyester” as used herein is representedby a formula -(A¹O(O)C-A²-C(O)O)_(a)— or -(A¹O(O)C-A²-OC(O))_(a)—, whereA¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group described herein and “a” is an integer from 1 to 500.“Polyester” is as the term used to describe a group that is produced bythe reaction between a compound having at least two carboxylic acidgroups with a compound having at least two hydroxyl groups.

The term “ether” as used herein is represented by a formula A¹OA², whereA¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group described herein. The term “polyether” as used hereinis represented by a formula -(A¹O-A²O)_(a)—, where A¹ and A² can be,independently, an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group describedherein and “a” is an integer of from 1 to 500. Examples of polyethergroups include polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, and polybutyleneoxide.

The term “halide” as used herein refers to the halogens fluorine,chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “heterocycle,” as used herein refers to single and multi-cyclicaromatic or non-aromatic ring systems in which at least one of the ringmembers is other than carbon. Heterocycle includes pyridinde,pyrimidine, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyrazole,oxazole, thiazole, imidazole, oxazole, including, 1,2,3-oxadiazole,1,2,5-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole, thiadiazole, including,1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole, triazole,including, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,3,4-triazole, tetrazole, including1,2,3,4-tetrazole and 1,2,4,5-tetrazole, pyridine, pyridazine,pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, including 1,2,4-triazine and1,3,5-triazine, tetrazine, including 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, pyrrolidine,piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, azetidine, tetrahydropyran,tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like.

The term “hydroxyl” as used herein is represented by a formula —OH.

The term “ketone” as used herein is represented by a formula A¹C(O)A²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “azide” as used herein is represented by a formula —N₃.

The term “nitro” as used herein is represented by a formula —NO₂.

The term “nitrile” as used herein is represented by a formula —CN.

The term “silyl” as used herein is represented by a formula —SiA¹A²A³,where A¹, A², and A³ can be, independently, hydrogen or an optionallysubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl,cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.

The term “sulfo-oxo” as used herein is represented by a formulas—S(O)A¹, —S(O)₂A¹, —OS(O)₂A¹, or —OS(O)₂OA¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen oran optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.Throughout this specification “S(O)” is a short hand notation for S═O.The term “sulfonyl” is used herein to refer to the sulfo-oxo grouprepresented by a formula —S(O)₂A¹, where A¹ can be hydrogen or anoptionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group as described herein.The term “sulfone” as used herein is represented by a formula A¹S(O)₂A²,where A¹ and A² can be, independently, an optionally substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, orheteroaryl group as described herein. The term “sulfoxide” as usedherein is represented by a formula A¹S(O)A², where A¹ and A² can be,independently, an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group asdescribed herein.

The term “thiol” as used herein is represented by a formula —SH.

The term “organic residue” defines a carbon containing residue, i.e., aresidue comprising at least one carbon atom, and includes but is notlimited to the carbon-containing groups, residues, or radicals definedhereinabove. Organic residues can contain various heteroatoms, or bebonded to another molecule through a heteroatom, including oxygen,nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or the like. Examples of organic residuesinclude but are not limited alkyl or substituted alkyls, alkoxy orsubstituted alkoxy, mono or di-substituted amino, amide groups, etc.Organic residues can preferably comprise 1 to 18 carbon atoms, 1 to 15,carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 to 6 carbonatoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organic residuecan comprise 2 to 18 carbon atoms, 2 to 15, carbon atoms, 2 to 12 carbonatoms, 2 to 8 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms

A very close synonym of the term “residue” is the term “radical,” whichas used in the specification and concluding claims, refers to afragment, group, or substructure of a molecule described herein,regardless of how the molecule is prepared. For example, a2,4-thiazolidinedione radical in a particular compound has the structure

regardless of whether thiazolidinedione is used to prepare the compound.In some aspects the radical (for example an alkyl) can be furthermodified (i.e., substituted alkyl) by having bonded thereto one or more“substituent radicals.” The number of atoms in a given radical is notcritical to the present invention unless it is indicated to the contraryelsewhere herein.

“Organic radicals,” as the term is defined and used herein, contain oneor more carbon atoms. An organic radical can have, for example, 1-26carbon atoms, 1-18 carbon atoms, 1-12 carbon atoms, 1-8 carbon atoms,1-6 carbon atoms, or 1-4 carbon atoms. In a further aspect, an organicradical can have 2-26 carbon atoms, 2-18 carbon atoms, 2-12 carbonatoms, 2-8 carbon atoms, 2-6 carbon atoms, or 2-4 carbon atoms. Organicradicals often have hydrogen bound to at least some of the carbon atomsof the organic radical. One example, of an organic radical thatcomprises no inorganic atoms is a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl radical.In some aspects, an organic radical can contain 1-10 inorganicheteroatoms bound thereto or therein, including halogens, oxygen,sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and the like. Examples of organic radicalsinclude but are not limited to an alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, mono-substituted amino, di-substituted amino,acyloxy, cyano, carboxy, carboalkoxy, alkylcarboxamide, substitutedalkylcarboxamide, dialkylcarboxamide, substituted dialkylcarboxamide,alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, thioalkyl, thiohaloalkyl, alkoxy,substituted alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, aryl, substituted aryl,heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclic radicals, whereinthe terms are defined elsewhere herein. A few non-limiting examples oforganic radicals that include heteroatoms include alkoxy radicals,trifluoromethoxy radicals, acetoxy radicals, dimethylamino radicals andthe like.

“Inorganic radicals,” as the term is defined and used herein, contain nocarbon atoms and therefore comprise only atoms other than carbon.Inorganic radicals comprise bonded combinations of atoms selected fromhydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, andhalogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, which can bepresent individually or bonded together in their chemically stablecombinations. Inorganic radicals have 10 or fewer, or preferably one tosix or one to four inorganic atoms as listed above bonded together.Examples of inorganic radicals include, but not limited to, amino,hydroxy, halogens, nitro, thiol, sulfate, phosphate, and like commonlyknown inorganic radicals. The inorganic radicals do not have bondedtherein the metallic elements of the periodic table (such as the alkalimetals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, lanthanide metals, oractinide metals), although such metal ions can sometimes serve as apharmaceutically acceptable cation for anionic inorganic radicals suchas a sulfate, phosphate, or like anionic inorganic radical. Typically,inorganic radicals do not comprise metalloids elements such as boron,aluminum, gallium, germanium, arsenic, tin, lead, or tellurium, or thenoble gas elements, unless otherwise specifically indicated elsewhereherein.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” describes a material that is notbiologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., without causing anunacceptable level of undesirable biological effects or interacting in adeleterious manner.

As used herein, the term “derivative” refers to a compound having astructure derived from the structure of a parent compound (e.g., acompounds disclosed herein) and whose structure is sufficiently similarto those disclosed herein and based upon that similarity, would beexpected by one skilled in the art to exhibit the same or similaractivities and utilities as the claimed compounds, or to induce, as aprecursor, the same or similar activities and utilities as the claimedcompounds. Exemplary derivatives include salts, esters, amides, salts ofesters or amides, and N-oxides of a parent compound.

The term “hydrolysable residue” is meant to refer to a functional groupcapable of undergoing hydrolysis, e.g., under basic or acidicconditions. Examples of hydrolysable residues include, withoutlimitation, residues of acid halides or activated carboxylic acids,residues of trialkylsilyl halides, residues of alkyloxymethyl halides,and various other protecting groups known in the art (see, for example,“Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,” T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts,Wiley-Interscience, 1999).

The term “leaving group” refers to an atom (or a group of atoms) withelectron withdrawing ability that can be displaced as a stable species,taking with it the bonding electrons. Examples of suitable leavinggroups include sulfonate esters, including, but not limited to,triflate, mesylate, tosylate, brosylate, and halides.

Compounds described herein can contain one or more double bonds and,thus, potentially give rise to cis/trans (E/Z) isomers, as well as otherconformational isomers. Unless stated to the contrary, the inventionincludes all such possible isomers, as well as mixtures of such isomers.

Unless stated to the contrary, a formula with chemical bonds shown onlyas solid lines and not as wedges or dashed lines contemplates eachpossible isomer, e.g., each enantiomer and diastereomer, and a mixtureof isomers, such as a racemic or scalemic mixture. Compounds describedherein can contain one or more asymmetric centers and, thus, potentiallygive rise to diastereomers and optical isomers. Unless stated to thecontrary, the present invention includes all such possible diastereomersas well as their racemic mixtures, their substantially pure resolvedenantiomers, all possible geometric isomers, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof. Mixtures of stereoisomers, as well as isolatedspecific stereoisomers, are also included. During the course of thesynthetic procedures used to prepare such compounds, or in usingracemization or epimerization procedures known to those skilled in theart, the products of such procedures can be a mixture of stereoisomers.Additionally, unless expressly described as “unsubstituted”, allsubstituents can be substituted or unsubstituted.

In some aspects, a structure of a compound can be represented by aformula:

which is understood to be equivalent to a formula:

wherein n is typically an integer. That is, R^(n) is understood torepresent five independent substituents, R^(n(a)), R^(n(b)), R^(n(c)),R^(n(d)), R^(n(e)). By “independent substituents,” it is meant that eachR substituent can be independently defined. For example, if in oneinstance R^(n(a)) is halogen, then R^(n(b)) is not necessarily halogenin that instance. Likewise, when a group R is defined as foursubstituents, R is understood to represent four independentsubstituents, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d). Unless indicated to thecontrary, the substituents are not limited to any particular order orarrangement.

The following abbreviations are used herein. DMF: dimethyl formamide.EtOAc: ethyl acetate. THF: tetrahydrofuran. DIPEA or DIEA:diisopropylethylamine. HOBt: 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. EDC:1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride. DMSO:dimethylsulfoxide. DMAP: 4-Dimethylaminopyridine. RT: Room temperature.h: Hours. Min: Minutes. DCM: Dichloromethane. MeCN: Acetonitrile. MeOH:methanol. iPrOH: 2-Propanol. n-BuOH: 1-Butanol.

Disclosed are the components to be used to prepare the compositions ofthe invention as well as the compositions themselves to be used withinthe methods disclosed herein. These and other materials are disclosedherein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these compounds cannot be explicitlydisclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. Forexample, if a particular compound is disclosed and discussed and anumber of modifications that can be made to a number of moleculesincluding the compounds are discussed, specifically contemplated is eachand every combination and permutation of the compound and themodifications that are possible unless specifically indicated to thecontrary. Thus, if a class of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed aswell as a class of molecules D, E, and F and an example of a combinationmolecule, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individuallyrecited each is individually and collectively contemplated meaningcombinations, A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considereddisclosed. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is alsodisclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E wouldbe considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of thisapplication including, but not limited to, steps in methods of makingand using the compositions of the invention. Thus, if there are avariety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood thateach of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspector combination of aspects of the methods of the invention.

It is understood that the compositions disclosed herein have certainfunctions. Disclosed herein are certain structural requirements forperforming the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there area variety of structures that can perform the same function that arerelated to the disclosed structures, and that these structures willtypically achieve the same result.

B. Compounds

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivatives thereof, useful as potentiators of mGluR4activity. In general, it is contemplated that each disclosed derivativecan be optionally further substituted. It is also contemplated that anyone or more derivative can be optionally omitted from the invention. Itis understood that a disclosed compound can be provided by the disclosedmethods. It is also understood that the disclosed compounds can beemployed in the disclosed methods of using. It is also understood thatthe disclosed compounds can all be employed as correspondingpharmaceutical compositions.

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having a structurerepresented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are compound of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds wherein n is 0, 1, or 2; and R₁ istetrahydrofuran (optionally substituted by one or more R₂),tetrahydropyran (optionally substituted by one or more R₂), morpholine(optionally substituted by one or more R₂), alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy,alkyl-alkoxy.

Also disclosed are compounds wherein R₂ is Me or CD₃.

Also disclosed are compounds where R₁ is a 4-7 membered saturated ringcontaining one ring oxygen and R₂ together form piperadine (optionallysubstituted by one or more R₅), or pyrrolidine (optionally substitutedby one or more R₅), fluoropiperadine, difluoropiperadine,fluoropyrrolidine. Also disclosed are compounds where R₁ and R₂ togetherform a 7-12 membered bicyclic, spiro, or bridged, ring system with atleast one hetero atom and/or where R₁ and R₂ together form anoxa-aza-bicyclooctane ring, an aza-bicyclononane ring, anoxa-aza-spirodecane ring, or an oxa-aza-bicycloheptane ring.

Also disclosed are compounds of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

Also disclosed are compounds of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.

The compounds disclosed herein can include all salt forms, for example,salts of both basic groups, inter alia, amines, as well as salts ofacidic groups, inter alia, carboxylic acids. The following arenon-limiting examples of anions that can form salts with protonatedbasic groups: chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, carbonate,bicarbonate, phosphate, formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate,pyruvate, lactate, oxalate, malonate, maleate, succinate, tartrate,fumarate, citrate, and the like. The following are non-limiting examplesof cations that can form salts of acidic groups: ammonium, sodium,lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bismuth, lysine, and the like.

The analogs (compounds) of the present disclosure are arranged intoseveral categories to assist the formulator in applying a rationalsynthetic strategy for the preparation of analogs which are notexpressly exampled herein. The arrangement into categories does notimply increased or decreased efficacy for any of the compositions ofmatter described herein.

C. Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositionscomprising the disclosed compounds. That is, a pharmaceuticalcomposition can be provided comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of at least one disclosed compound or at least one product of adisclosed method and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In certain aspects, the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions comprisethe disclosed compounds (including pharmaceutically acceptable salt(s)thereof) as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,and, optionally, other therapeutic ingredients or adjuvants. The instantcompositions include those suitable for oral, rectal, topical, andparenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous)administration, although the most suitable route in any given case willdepend on the particular host, and nature and severity of the conditionsfor which the active ingredient is being administered. Thepharmaceutical compositions can be conveniently presented in unit dosageform and prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers tosalts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases oracids. When the compound of the present invention is acidic, itscorresponding salt can be conveniently prepared from pharmaceuticallyacceptable non-toxic bases, including inorganic bases and organic bases.Salts derived from such inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium,calcium, copper (-ic and -ous), ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium,manganese (-ic and -ous), potassium, sodium, zinc and the like salts.Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassiumand sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organicnon-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiaryamines, as well as cyclic amines and substituted amines such asnaturally occurring and synthesized substituted amines. Otherpharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases from which salts canbe formed include ion exchange resins such as, for example, arginine,betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine,glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine,methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins,procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine,tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids”includes inorganic acids, organic acids, and salts prepared therefrom,for example, acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric,ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric,isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic,nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric,p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. Preferred are citric, hydrobromic,hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, and tartaric acids.

In practice, the compounds of the invention, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, of this invention can be combined as theactive ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrieraccording to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. Thecarrier can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form ofpreparation desired for administration, e.g., oral or parenteral(including intravenous). Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention can be presented as discrete units suitable for oraladministration such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing apredetermined amount of the active ingredient. Further, the compositionscan be presented as a powder, as granules, as a solution, as asuspension in an aqueous liquid, as a non-aqueous liquid, as anoil-in-water emulsion or as a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. In additionto the common dosage forms set out above, the compounds of theinvention, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salt(s) thereof, can alsobe administered by controlled release means and/or delivery devices. Thecompositions can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. Ingeneral, such methods include a step of bringing into association theactive ingredient with the carrier that constitutes one or morenecessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared byuniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquidcarriers or finely divided solid carriers or both. The product can thenbe conveniently shaped into the desired presentation.

Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can include apharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of the compounds of the invention. The compounds of theinvention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, can also beincluded in pharmaceutical compositions in combination with one or moreother therapeutically active compounds. The pharmaceutical carrieremployed can be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gas. Examples of solidcarriers include lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar,pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Examples of liquidcarriers are sugar syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, and water. Examples ofgaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

In preparing the compositions for oral dosage form, any convenientpharmaceutical media can be employed. For example, water, glycols, oils,alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the likecan be used to form oral liquid preparations such as suspensions,elixirs and solutions; while carriers such as starches, sugars,microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants,binders, disintegrating agents, and the like can be used to form oralsolid preparations such as powders, capsules and tablets. Because oftheir ease of administration, tablets and capsules are the preferredoral dosage units whereby solid pharmaceutical carriers are employed.Optionally, tablets can be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueoustechniques

A tablet containing the composition of this invention can be prepared bycompression or molding, optionally with one or more accessoryingredients or adjuvants. Compressed tablets can be prepared bycompressing, in a suitable machine, the active ingredient in afree-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with abinder, lubricant, inert diluent, surface active or dispersing agent.Molded tablets can be made by molding in a suitable machine, a mixtureof the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can comprise acompound of the invention (or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof)as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, andoptionally one or more additional therapeutic agents or adjuvants. Theinstant compositions include compositions suitable for oral, rectal,topical, and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, andintravenous) administration, although the most suitable route in anygiven case will depend on the particular host, and nature and severityof the conditions for which the active ingredient is being administered.The pharmaceutical compositions can be conveniently presented in unitdosage form and prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable forparenteral administration can be prepared as solutions or suspensions ofthe active compounds in water. A suitable surfactant can be includedsuch as, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also beprepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereofin oils. Further, a preservative can be included to prevent thedetrimental growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable forinjectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions.Furthermore, the compositions can be in the form of sterile powders forthe extemporaneous preparation of such sterile injectable solutions ordispersions. In all cases, the final injectable form must be sterile andmust be effectively fluid for easy syringability. The pharmaceuticalcompositions must be stable under the conditions of manufacture andstorage; thus, preferably should be preserved against the contaminatingaction of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can bea solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol,polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethyleneglycol), vegetable oils, and suitable mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be in a formsuitable for topical use such as, for example, an aerosol, cream,ointment, lotion, dusting powder, mouth washes, gargles, and the like.Further, the compositions can be in a form suitable for use intransdermal devices. These formulations can be prepared, utilizing acompound of the invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,via conventional processing methods. As an example, a cream or ointmentis prepared by mixing hydrophilic material and water, together withabout 5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the compound, to produce a cream orointment having a desired consistency.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be in a form suitablefor rectal administration wherein the carrier is a solid. It ispreferable that the mixture forms unit dose suppositories. Suitablecarriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly used in theart. The suppositories can be conveniently formed by first admixing thecomposition with the softened or melted carrier(s) followed by chillingand shaping in molds.

In addition to the aforementioned carrier ingredients, thepharmaceutical formulations described above can include, as appropriate,one or more additional carrier ingredients such as diluents, buffers,flavoring agents, binders, surface-active agents, thickeners,lubricants, preservatives (including anti-oxidants) and the like.Furthermore, other adjuvants can be included to render the formulationisotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Compositionscontaining a compound of the invention, and/or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, can also be prepared in powder or liquidconcentrate form.

A potentiated amount of an mGluR agonist to be administered incombination with an effective amount of a disclosed compound is expectedto vary from about 0.1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day(mg/kg/day) to about 100 mg/kg/day and is expected to be less than theamount that is required to provide the same effect when administeredwithout an effective amount of a disclosed compound. Preferred amountsof a co-administered mGluR agonist are able to be determined by oneskilled in the art.

In the treatment conditions which require potentiation of metabotropicglutamate receptor activity an appropriate dosage level will generallybe about 0.01 to 500 mg per kg patient body weight per day and can beadministered in single or multiple doses. Preferably, the dosage levelwill be about 0.1 to about 250 mg/kg per day; more preferably 0.5 to 100mg/kg per day. A suitable dosage level can be about 0.01 to 250 mg/kgper day, about 0.05 to 100 mg/kg per day, or about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg perday. Within this range the dosage can be 0.05 to 0.5, 0.5 to 5.0 or 5.0to 50 mg/kg per day. For oral administration, the compositions arepreferably provided in the form of tablets containing 1.0 to 1000milligrams of the active ingredient, particularly 1.0, 5.0, 10, 15, 20,25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900 and1000 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustmentof the dosage of the patient to be treated. The compound can beadministered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, preferably once ortwice per day. This dosing regimen can be adjusted to provide theoptimal therapeutic response.

It is understood, however, that the specific dose level for anyparticular patient will depend upon a variety of factors. Such factorsinclude the age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of thepatient. Other factors include the time and route of administration,rate of excretion, drug combination, and the type and severity of theparticular disease undergoing therapy.

The disclosed pharmaceutical compositions can further comprise othertherapeutically active compounds, which are usually applied in thetreatment of the above mentioned pathological conditions.

It is understood that the disclosed compositions can be prepared fromthe disclosed compounds. It is also understood that the disclosedcompositions can be employed in the disclosed methods of using.

Further disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising oneor more of the disclosed mGluR4 potentiators and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present inventioninclude those that contain one or more other active ingredients, inaddition to a compound of the present invention.

The above combinations include combinations of a disclosed compound notonly with one other active compound, but also with two or more otheractive compounds. Likewise, disclosed compounds may be used incombination with other drugs that are used in the prevention, treatment,control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases orconditions for which disclosed compounds are useful. Such other drugsmay be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor,contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the presentinvention. When a compound of the present invention is usedcontemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound ofthe present invention is preferred. Accordingly, the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention include those that also containone or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of thepresent invention.

The weight ratio of the compound of the present invention to the secondactive ingredient can be varied and will depend upon the effective doseof each ingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used.Thus, for example, when a compound of the present invention is combinedwith another agent, the weight ratio of the compound of the presentinvention to the other agent will generally range from about 1000:1 toabout 1:1000, preferably about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of acompound of the present invention and other active ingredients willgenerally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, aneffective dose of each active ingredient should be used.

In such combinations the compound of the present invention and otheractive agents may be administered separately or in conjunction. Inaddition, the administration of one element can be prior to, concurrentto, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

Accordingly, the subject compounds can be used alone or in combinationwith other agents which are known to be beneficial in the subjectindications or other drugs that affect receptors or enzymes that eitherincrease the efficacy, safety, convenience, or reduce unwanted sideeffects or toxicity of the disclosed compounds. The subject compound andthe other agent may be coadministered, either in concomitant therapy orin a fixed combination.

In one aspect, the compound can be employed in combination withanti-Alzheimer's agents, beta-secretase inhibitors, gamma-secretaseinhibitors, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, NSAIDS's (non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs) including ibuprofen, vitamin E, andanti-amyloid antibodies. In a further aspect, the subject compound maybe employed in combination with sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics,antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, cyclopyrrolones, imidazopyridines,pyrazolopyrimidines, minor tranquilizers, melatonin agonists andantagonists, melatonergic agents, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, 5HT-2antagonists, and the like, such as: adinazolam, allobarbital, alonimid,alprazolam, amisulpride, amitriptyline, amobarbital, amoxapine,aripiprazole, bentazepam, benzoctamine, brotizolam, bupropion,busprione, butabarbital, butalbital, capuride, carbocloral, chloralbetaine, chloral hydrate, clomipramine, clonazepam, cloperidone,clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, clorethate, chlorpromazine, clozapine,cyprazepam, desipramine, dexclamol, diazepam, dichloralphenazone,divalproex, diphenhydramine, doxepin, estazolam, ethchlorvynol,etomidate, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flupentixol, fluphenazine,flurazepam, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, fosazepam, glutethimide, halazepam,haloperidol, hydroxyzine, imipramine, lithium, lorazepam, lormetazepam,maprotiline, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, meprobamate,methaqualone, midaflur, midazolam, nefazodone, nisobamate, nitrazepam,nortriptyline, olanzapine, oxazepam, paraldehyde, paroxetine,pentobarbital, perlapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital,prazepam, promethazine, propofol, protriptyline, quazepam, quetiapine,reclazepam, risperidone, roletamide, secobarbital, sertraline,suproclone, temazepam, thioridazine, thiothixene, tracazolate,tranylcypromaine, trazodone, triazolam, trepipam, tricetamide,triclofos, trifluoperazine, trimetozine, trimipramine, uldazepam,venlafaxine, zaleplon, ziprasidone, zolazepam, Zolpidem, and saltsthereof, and combinations thereof, and the like, or the subject compoundmay be administered in conjunction with the use of physical methods suchas with light therapy or electrical stimulation.

In a further aspect, the compound can be employed in combination withlevodopa (with or without a selective extracerebral decarboxylaseinhibitor such as carbidopa or benserazide), anticholinergics such asbiperiden (optionally as its hydrochloride or lactate salt) andtrihexyphenidyl (benzhexol) hydrochloride, COMT inhibitors such asentacapone, MOA-B inhibitors, antioxidants, A2a adenosine receptorantagonists, cholinergic agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, serotoninreceptor antagonists and dopamine receptor agonists such as alentemol,bromocriptine, fenoldopam, lisuride, naxagolide, pergolide andpramipexole. It will be appreciated that the dopamine agonist may be inthe form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, for example, alentemolhydrobromide, bromocriptine mesylate, fenoldopam mesylate, naxagolidehydrochloride and pergolide mesylate. Lisuride and pramipexol arecommonly used in a non-salt form.

In a further aspect, the compound can be employed in combination with acompound from the phenothiazine, thioxanthene, heterocyclicdibenzazepine, butyrophenone, diphenylbutylpiperidine and indoloneclasses of neuroleptic agent. Suitable examples of phenothiazinesinclude chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine, acetophenazine,fluphenazine, perphenazine and trifluoperazine. Suitable examples ofthioxanthenes include chlorprothixene and thiothixene. An example of adibenzazepine is clozapine. An example of a butyrophenone ishaloperidol. An example of a diphenylbutylpiperidine is pimozide. Anexample of an indolone is molindolone. Other neuroleptic agents includeloxapine, sulpiride and risperidone. It will be appreciated that theneuroleptic agents when used in combination with the subject compoundmay be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, for example,chlorpromazine hydrochloride, mesoridazine besylate, thioridazinehydrochloride, acetophenazine maleate, fluphenazine hydrochloride,flurphenazine enathate, fluphenazine decanoate, trifluoperazinehydrochloride, thiothixene hydrochloride, haloperidol decanoate,loxapine succinate and molindone hydrochloride. Perphenazine,chlorprothixene, clozapine, haloperidol, pimozide and risperidone arecommonly used in a non-salt form. Thus, the subject compound may beemployed in combination with acetophenazine, alentemol, aripiprazole,amisulpride, benzhexol, bromocriptine, biperiden, chlorpromazine,chlorprothixene, clozapine, diazepam, fenoldopam, fluphenazine,haloperidol, levodopa, levodopa with benserazide, levodopa withcarbidopa, lisuride, loxapine, mesoridazine, molindolone, naxagolide,olanzapine, pergolide, perphenazine, pimozide, pramipexole, quetiapine,risperidone, sulpiride, tetrabenazine, trihexyphenidyl, thioridazine,thiothixene, trifluoperazine or ziprasidone.

In one aspect, the compound can be employed in combination with ananti-depressant or anti-anxiety agent, including norepinephrine reuptakeinhibitors (including tertiary amine tricyclics and secondary aminetricyclics), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamineoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase(RIMAs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs),corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists, α-adrenoreceptorantagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, atypicalanti-depressants, benzodiazepines, 5-HTJA agonists or antagonists,especially 5-HT1A partial agonists, and corticotropin releasing factor(CRF) antagonists. Specific agents include: amitriptyline, clomipramine,doxepin, imipramine and trimipramine; amoxapine, desipramine,maprotiline, nortriptyline and protriptyline; fluoxetine, fluvoxamine,paroxetine and sertraline; isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromineand selegiline; moclobemide: venlafaxine; duloxetine; aprepitant;bupropion, lithium, nefazodone, trazodone and viloxazine; alprazolam,chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, chlorazepate, diazepam, halazepam,lorazepam, oxazepam and prazepam; buspirone, flesinoxan, gepirone andipsapirone, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In the treatment of conditions which require potentiation of mGluR4activity an appropriate dosage level will generally be about 0.01 to 500mg per kg patient body weight per day which can be administered insingle or multiple doses. Preferably, the dosage level will be about 0.1to about 250 mg/kg per day; more preferably about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kgper day. A suitable dosage level may be about 0.01 to 250 mg/kg per day,about 0.05 to 100 mg/kg per day, or about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg per day.Within this range the dosage may be 0.05 to 0.5, 0.5 to 5 or 5 to 50mg/kg per day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferablyprovided in the form of tablets containing 1.0 to 1000 milligrams of theactive ingredient, particularly 1.0, 5.0, 10, 15. 20, 25, 50, 75, 100,150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000 milligrams ofthe active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage tothe patient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on aregimen of 1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day. Thisdosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeuticresponse. It will be understood, however, that the specific dose leveland frequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied andwill depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of thespecific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of actionof that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, modeand time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, theseverity of the particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound disclosed herein or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof; and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositionscomprising a compound having a structure represented by a compound ofthe following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof; and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound ofthe following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

D. Methods of Using the Compounds and Compositions

mGluR4 belongs to the group III mGluR subfamily and is located inpredominantly in presynaptic locations in the central nervous systemwhere it is functions as an auto- and heteroreceptor to regulate therelease of both GABA and glutamate. In addition, mGluR4 is alsoexpressed at a low level in some postsynaptic locations. mGluR4 isexpressed in most brain regions, particularly in neurons known to playkey roles in the following functions of the CNS:

(a) learning and memory;

(b) regulation of voluntary movement and other motor functions

(c) motor learning

(d) emotional responses

(e) habit formation, including repetitive tasks and preservative thoughtprocesses

(f) reward systems

(g) vision and olfaction

(h) cerebellar functions;

(i) feeding and the regulation of hypothalamic hormones; and

(j) sleep and wakefulness.

As such, mGluR4 plays a major role in the modulation of CNS-relateddiseases, syndromes and non-CNS related diseases or conditions the like,for example,

(a) Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism, and other disorders involvingakinesia or bradykinesia

(b) Dystonia

(c) Huntington's diseases and other disorders involving involuntarymovements and dyskinesias

(d) Tourette's syndrome and related ticking disorders

(e) Obsessive/compulsive disorder and other preservative behavioraldisorders

(f) Addictive disorders (including drug abuse, eating disorders, and)

(g) Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

(h) Posttraumatic stress disorder

(i) Anxiety disorders;

(j) motor effects after alcohol consumption or other drug-induced motordisorders;

(k) neurogenic fate commitment and neuronal survival;

(l) epilepsy;

(m) certain cancers, for example, medulloblastoma;

(n) type 2 diabetes, and/or other metabolic disorders; and

(o) taste enhancement/blockade.

The disclosed compounds can act as potentiators of the metabotropicglutamate receptor activity (mGluR4). Therefore, in one aspect, thedisclosed compounds can be used to treat one or more mGluR4 associateddisorders that result in dysfunction in a mammal.

The disclosed compounds can be used as single agents or in combinationwith one or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, control,amelioration or reduction of risk of the aforementioned diseases,disorders and conditions for which compounds of formula I or the otherdrugs have utility, where the combination of drugs together are safer ormore effective than either drug alone. The other drug(s) can beadministered by a route and in an amount commonly used therefore,contemporaneously or sequentially with a disclosed compound. When adisclosed compound is used contemporaneously with one or more otherdrugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form containing suchdrugs and the disclosed compound is preferred. However, the combinationtherapy can also be administered on overlapping schedules. It is alsoenvisioned that the combination of one or more active ingredients and adisclosed compound will be more efficacious than either as a singleagent.

1. Treatment Methods

The compounds disclosed herein are useful for treating, preventing,ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of a variety ofneurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamatedysfunction. Thus, provided is a method of treating or preventing adisorder in a subject comprising the step of administering to thesubject at least one disclosed compound; at least one disclosedpharmaceutical composition; and/or at least one disclosed product in adosage and amount effective to treat the disorder in the subject.

Also provided is a method for the treatment of one or more neurologicaland/or psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction in asubject comprising the step of administering to the subject at least onedisclosed compound; at least one disclosed pharmaceutical composition;and/or at least one disclosed product in a dosage and amount effectiveto treat the disorder in the subject.

Examples of disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction include:acute and chronic neurological and psychiatric disorders such ascerebral deficits subsequent to cardiac bypass surgery and grafting,stroke, cerebral ischemia, spinal cord trauma, head trauma, perinatalhypoxia, cardiac arrest, hypoglycemic neuronal damage, dementia(including AIDS-induced dementia), Alzheimer's disease, Huntington'sChorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, oculardamage, retinopathy, cognitive disorders, idiopathic and drug-inducedParkinson's disease, muscular spasms and disorders associated withmuscular spasticity including tremors, epilepsy, convulsions, migraine(including migraine headache), urinary incontinence, substancetolerance, addictive behavior, including addiction to substances(including opiates, nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol,benzodiazepines, cocaine, sedatives, hypnotics, etc.), withdrawal fromsuch addictive substances (including substances such as opiates,nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine,sedatives, hypnotics, etc.), obesity, psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety(including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessivecompulsive disorder), mood disorders (including depression, mania,bipolar disorders), trigeminal neuralgia, hearing loss, tinnitus,macular degeneration of the eye, emesis, brain edema, pain (includingacute and chronic pain states, severe pain, intractable pain,neuropathic pain, and post-traumatic pain), tardive dyskinesia, sleepdisorders (including narcolepsy), attention deficit/hyperactivitydisorder, conduct disorder, diabetes and other metabolic disorders,taste alteration, and cancer.

Anxiety disorders that can be treated or prevented by the compositionsdisclosed herein include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder,and obsessive compulsive disorder. Addictive behaviors include addictionto substances (including opiates, nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol,benzodiazepines, cocaine, sedatives, hypnotics, etc.), withdrawal fromsuch addictive substances (including substances such as opiates,nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine,sedatives, hypnotics, etc.) and substance tolerance.

Thus, in some aspects of the disclosed method, the disorder is dementia,delirium, amnestic disorders, age-related cognitive decline,schizophrenia, psychosis including schizophrenia, schizophreniformdisorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychoticdisorder, substance-related disorder, movement disorders, epilepsy,chorea, pain, migraine, diabetes, dystonia, obesity, eating disorders,brain edema, sleep disorder, narcolepsy, anxiety, affective disorder,panic attacks, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, psychoticdepression.

Also provided is a method for treating or prevention anxiety,comprising: administering to a subject at least one disclosed compound;at least one disclosed pharmaceutical composition; and/or at least onedisclosed product in a dosage and amount effective to treat the disorderin the subject. At present, the fourth edition of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) (1994, AmericanPsychiatric Association, Washington, D.C.), provides a diagnostic toolincluding anxiety and related disorders. These include: panic disorderwith or without agoraphobia, agoraphobia without history of panicdisorder, specific phobia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder,post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, generalizedanxiety disorder, anxiety disorder due to a general medical condition,substance-induced anxiety disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwisespecified.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of aneurotransmission dysfunction and other disease states associated withmGluR4 activity in a mammal comprising the step of administering to themammal at least one compound of the present invention in a dosage andamount effective to treat the dysfunction in the mammal. In certainembodiments, the compound has a structure represented by a compound ofthe following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for potentiating mGluR4activity in a subject comprising the step of administering to thesubject at least one compound of the present invention in a dosage andamount effective to treat the dysfunction in the mammal. In certainembodiments, the compound has a structure represented by a compound ofthe following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof; in a dosage and amount effective to potentiate mGluR4receptor activity in the subject.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods of potentiating mGluR4activity in at least one cell comprising the step of contacting the atleast one cell with at least one compound having a structure representedby a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, in an amount effective to potentiate mGluR4 receptoractivity in the at least one cell.

In certain aspects, a subject, for example a mammal or a human, has beendiagnosed with the dysfunction prior to the administering step. Infurther aspects, a disclosed method can further comprise the step ofidentifying a subject, for example a mammal or a human, having a needfor treatment of a dysfunction. In further aspects, a subject, forexample a mammal or a human, has been diagnosed with a need forpotentiation of mGluR4 receptor activity prior to the administeringstep. In further aspects, a disclosed method can further comprise thestep of identifying a subject, for example a mammal or a human, having aneed for potentiation of mGluR4 receptor activity. In further aspects, acell (e.g., a mammalian cell or a human cell) has been isolated from asubject, for example a mammal or a human, prior to the contacting step.In further aspects, contacting is via administration to a subject, forexample a mammal or a human.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for potentiating mGluR4activity in at least one cell comprising the step of contacting the atleast one cell with at least one disclosed compound in an amounteffective to potentiate mGluR4 receptor activity in the at least onecell.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for potentiating mGluR4activity in a subject comprising the step of administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one disclosedcompound in a dosage and amount effective to potentiate mGluR4 receptoractivity in the subject.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of adisorder associated with mGluR4 neurotransmission dysfunction or otherdisease state in a mammal comprising the step of administering to themammal at least one disclosed compound in a dosage and amount effectiveto treat the disorder in the mammal.

The disclosed compounds can be used to treat a wide range ofneurological and psychiatric disorders and other disease statesassociated with glutamate dysfunction. Non-limiting examples of thesediseases includes movement disorders, including akinesias andakinetic-rigid syndromes (including Parkinson's disease), dystonia,epilepsy, chorea, neurogenerative diseases such as dementia,Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer'sdisease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, pain, migraines,diabetes, obesity and eating disorders, sleep disorders includingnarcolepsy, and anxiety or affective disorders, including generalizedanxiety disorder, panic attacks, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder,psychotic depression, and related disorders, cognitive disordersincluding dementia (associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia,trauma, stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's diseaseand other general medical conditions or substance abuse), delirium,amnestic disorders, age-related cognitive decline, schizophrenia orpsychosis including schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic orundifferentiated), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder,delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, substance-relateddisorder, cancer and inflammation (including MS). Of the disordersabove, the treatment of Parkinson's disease, movement disorders,cognitive disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity and pain are ofparticular importance.

In one aspect, the disclosed compounds can be used to treat, or can be acomponent of a pharmaceutical composition used to treat movementdisorders. As such, disclosed herein in a method for treating a movementdisorder, comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need oftreatment at least one compound in a dosage and amount effective totreat the disorder in the mammal, wherein the disorder is selected fromParkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, Wilson's disease,chorea, ataxia, ballism, akathesia, athetosis, bradykinesia, ridigity,postural instability, inherited ataxias such as Friedreich's ataxia,Machado-Joseph disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, Tourette syndrome andother tic disorders, essential tremor, cerebral palsy, stroke,encephalopathies, and intoxication.

In a further aspect, the disclosed compounds can be used to treat, orcan be a component of a pharmaceutical composition used to treatcognitive disorders. As such, disclosed herein in a method for treatinga cognitive disorder, comprising the step of administering to a mammalin need of treatment at least one compound in a dosage and amounteffective to treat the disorder in the mammal, wherein the disorder isselected from dementia (associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia,trauma, stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's diseaseand other general medical conditions or substance abuse), delirium,amnestic disorders and age-related cognitive decline. The fourth edition(Revised) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV-TR) (2000, American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C.)provides a diagnostic tool for cognitive disorders including dementia(associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, trauma, stroke, HIVdisease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and other generalmedical conditions or substance abuse), delirium, amnestic disorders andage-related cognitive decline.

In a further aspect, the disclosed compounds can be used to treat, orcan be a component of a pharmaceutical composition used toneurodegenerative disorders. As such, disclosed herein in a method fortreating a neurodegenerative disorder, comprising the step ofadministering to a mammal in need of treatment at least one compound ina dosage and amount effective to treat a neurodegenerative disorder inthe mammal.

In a still further aspect, the disclosed compounds provide a method fortreating schizophrenia or psychosis. As such, disclosed herein in amethod for treating a disorder related to schizophrenia or psychosis,comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need of treatment atleast one compound in a dosage and amount effective to treat thedisorder in the mammal, wherein the disorder related to schizophrenia orpsychosis is selected from paranoid, disorganized, catatonic orundifferentiated, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder,delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, substance-inducedpsychotic disorder. The fourth edition (Revised) of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (2000, AmericanPsychiatric Association, Washington D.C.) provides a diagnostic tool forc include paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated,schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusionaldisorder, brief psychotic disorder, substance-induced psychoticdisorder.

The subject compounds are further useful in the prevention, treatment,control, amelioration or reduction of risk of the aforementioneddiseases, disorders and conditions in combination with other agents,including an mGluR agonist.

2. Coadministration Methods

The disclosed compounds may be used as single agents or in combinationwith one or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, control,amelioration or reduction of risk of the aforementioned diseases,disorders and conditions for which compounds of formula I or the otherdrugs have utility, where the combination of drugs together are safer ormore effective than either drug alone. The other drug(s) may beadministered by a route and in an amount commonly used therefore,contemporaneously or sequentially with a disclosed compound. When adisclosed compound is used contemporaneously with one or more otherdrugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form containing suchdrugs and the compound is preferred. However, the combination therapycan also be administered on overlapping schedules. It is also envisionedthat the combination of one or more active ingredients and a disclosedcompound can be more efficacious than either as a single agent.

In one aspect, the compounds can be coadministered with anti-Alzheimer'sagents, beta-secretase inhibitors, gamma-secretase inhibitors,muscarinic agonists, muscarinic potentiators HMG-CoA reductaseinhibitors, NSAIDs and anti-amyloid antibodies. In a further aspect, thecompounds can be administered in combination with sedatives, hypnotics,anxiolytics, antipsychotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), 5-HT2 antagonists, GlyT1inhibitors and the like such as, but not limited to: risperidone,clozapine, haloperidol, fluoxetine, prazepam, xanomeline, lithium,phenobarbitol, and salts thereof and combinations thereof.

In a further aspect, the subject compound may be used in combinationwith levodopa (with or without a selective extracerebral decarboxylaseinhibitor), anticholinergics such as biperiden, COMT inhibitors such asentacapone, A2a adenosine antagonists, cholinergic agonists, NMDAreceptor antagonists and dopamine agonists.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of aneurotransmission dysfunction and other disease states associated withmGluR4 activity in a mammal comprising the step of co-administering tothe mammal at least one compound in a dosage and amount effective totreat the dysfunction in the mammal, the compound having a structurerepresented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with a drug having a known side-effect of increasingmetabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of aneurotransmission dysfunction and other disease states associated withmGluR4 activity in a mammal comprising the step of co-administering tothe mammal at least one compound in a dosage and amount effective totreat the dysfunction in the mammal, the compound having a structurerepresented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with a drug known to treat a disorder associated withincreasing metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of aneurotransmission dysfunction and other disease states associated withmGluR4 activity in a mammal comprising the step of co-administering tothe mammal at least one compound in a dosage and amount effective totreat the dysfunction in the mammal, the compound having a structurerepresented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with a drug known to treat the neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states.

E. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Activity

The disclosed compounds and compositions can be evaluated for theirability to act as a potentiator of metabotropic glutamate receptoractivity, in particular mGluR4 activity, by any suitable knownmethodology known in the art. For example, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO)cells transfected with human mGluR4 or HEK cells co-transfected with ratmGluR4 and the G-protein regulated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium channel(GIRK) were plated in clear bottom assay plates for assay in a HamamatsuFDSS Fluorometric Plate Reader. The cells were loaded with either aCa2+-sensitive fluorescent dye or the thallium responsive dye and theplates were washed and placed into a suitable kinetic plate reader. Forhuman mGluR4 assays, a fluorescence baseline was established for 3-5seconds, the disclosed compounds were then added to the cells, and theresponse in cells was measured. Approximately two and a half minuteslater, a concentration of mGluR4 orthosteric agonist (e.g. glutamate orL-AP4) eliciting approximately 20% (EC20) of the maximal agonistresponse was added to the cells, and the response was measured. Twominutes later, a concentration of mGluR4 agonist (e.g. glutamate orL-AP4) eliciting 80% (EC80) of the maximal agonist response was added tothe cells, and the response was measured. For rat mGluR4/GIRKexperiments, a baseline was established for approximately five seconds,disclosed compounds were added, and either an EC20 or EC80 concentrationof agonist was added approximately two and one half minutes later.Potentiation of the agonist response of mGluR4 by the disclosedcompounds was observed as an increase in response to the EC20concentration of agonist in the presence of compound compared to theresponse to agonist in the absence of compound. Similarly, antagonism ofthe agonist response of mGluR4 by the disclosed compounds was observedas a decrease in response to the EC80 concentration of agonist in thepresence of compound compared to the response to agonist in the absenceof compound.

The above described assay operated in two modes. In the first mode, arange of concentrations of the disclosed compounds are added to cells,followed by a single fixed concentration of agonist. If the compoundacts as a potentiator, an EC₅₀ value for potentiation and a maximumextent of potentiation by the compound at this concentration of agonistis determined by non-linear curve fitting. If the compound acts as anoncompetitive antagonist, an IC₅₀ value is determined by non-linearcurve fitting. In the second mode, several fixed concentrations of thedisclosed compounds are added to various wells on a plate, followed by arange in concentrations of agonist for each concentration of disclosedcompound. The EC₅₀ values for the agonist at each concentration ofcompound are determined by non-linear curve fitting. A decrease in theEC₅₀ value of the agonist with increasing concentrations of the samplecompound (a leftward shift of the agonist concentration-response curve)is an indication of the degree of mGluR4 potentiation at a givenconcentration of the sample compound. A decrease in the maximal responseof the agonist with increasing concentrations of the sample compounds,with or without a rightward shift in agonist potency, is an indicationof the degree of noncompetitive antagonism at mGluR4. The second modealso indicates whether the sample compounds also affect the maximumresponse to mGluR4 to agonists.

In particular, the compounds of the following examples were found tohave activity in potentiating the mGluR4 receptor in the aforementionedassays, generally with an EC₅₀ for potentiation of less than about 10μM. One aspect of the disclosed compounds have activity in potentiatingrat and human mGluR4 receptors with an EC₅₀ for potentiation of lessthan about 500 nM. These compounds further caused a leftward shift ofthe agonist EC₅₀ by greater than 3-fold. These compounds are positiveallosteric modulators (potentiators) of human and rat mGluR4 and wereselective for mGluR4 compared to the other seven subtypes ofmetabotropic glutamate receptors.

F. Manufacture of a Medicament

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for the manufacture of amedicament for potentiating mGluR4 receptor activity in a mammalcomprising combining a compound having a structure represented by acompound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof; with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Thus, the disclosed compounds and compositions can be further directedto a method for the manufacture of a medicament for potentiatingglutamate receptor activity (e.g., treatment of one or more neurologicaland/or psychiatric disorder and other disease states associated withglutamate dysfunction) in mammals (e.g., humans) comprising combiningone or more disclosed compounds, products, or compositions with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

G. Uses of Compounds

In one aspect, the invention relates to uses of a compound forpotentiating mGluR4 receptor activity in a mammal, wherein the compoundhas a structure represented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

The disclosed uses for potentiating mGluR4 receptor activity in a mammalcan further be directed for use in treating one or more disorders, forexample neurological and psychiatric disorders and other disease statesassociated with glutamate dysfunction (e.g., Parkinson's disease) in asubject, for example a mammal or a human.

H. Kits

In one aspect, the invention relates to kits comprising a compoundhaving a structure represented by a compound of following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and:

X is CH, or N;

X₁ is CH, or N;

X₂ is CH, or N;

Y is CH, or N;

R₁ is a four-seven membered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted byat least one R₂), alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, oralkyl-O-Me;

R₂ is H, CD₃, Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O;

R₃ is independently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy;

R₄ is H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN;

n is 0-6;

provided that at least one of Y and W is N; and

provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, andone or more of a drug having a known side-effect of increasingmetabotropic glutamate receptor activity, a drug known to treat adisorder associated with increasing metabotropic glutamate receptoractivity, and/or a drug known to treat the neurotransmission dysfunctionand other disease states.

In various aspects, the kits can comprise disclosed compounds,compositions, and/or products co-packaged, co-formulated, and/orco-delivered with other components. For example, a drug manufacturer, adrug reseller, a physician, or a pharmacist can provide a kit comprisinga disclosed oral dosage forms and another component for delivery to apatient.

In further aspects, the kits can comprise one or more other components(e.g., one or more of a drug having a known side-effect of increasingmetabotropic glutamate receptor activity, a drug known to treat adisorder associated with increasing metabotropic glutamate receptoractivity, and/or a drug known to treat the neurotransmission dysfunctionand other disease states) and instructions for coadminstration to apatient with one or more disclosed compounds, compositions, and/orproducts. For example, a drug manufacturer, a drug reseller, aphysician, or a pharmacist can provide a kit comprising one or moreother components (e.g., one or more of a drug having a known side-effectof increasing metabotropic glutamate receptor activity, a drug known totreat a disorder associated with increasing metabotropic glutamatereceptor activity, and/or a drug known to treat the neurotransmissiondysfunction and other disease states) and instructions forcoadminstration to a patient with one or more disclosed compounds,compositions, and/or products.

I. Experimental

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how thecompounds, compositions, articles, devices and/or methods claimed hereinare made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary of theinvention and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventorsregard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracywith respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but someerrors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicatedotherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is atambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention areillustrated in the following Examples. Starting materials and therequisite intermediates are in some cases commercially available, or canbe prepared according to literature procedures or as illustrated herein.All NMR spectra were recorded on either a Varian Inova 400 (400 MHz) orVarian Inova 500 (500 MHz) spectrophotometer. ¹H chemical shifts arereported in 6 values in ppm downfield from Me₄Si as the internalstandard in CDCl₃. Data are reported as follows: chemical shift,multiplicity (s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, br=broad,m=multiplet), integration, coupling constant (Hz). ¹³C chemical shiftsare reported in 6 values in ppm with the CDCl₃ carbon peak set to 77.23ppm. Low resolution mass spectra were obtained on an HP1100 MSD withelectrospray ionization. High resolution mass spectra were recorded on aBruker Daltonics 3T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance massspectrometer (FT/ICR) with electrospray ionization. Analytical thinlayer chromatography was performed on EM Reagent 0.25 mm silica gel 60-Fplates. Analytical HPLC was performed on an HP1100 with UV detection at214 and 254 nm along with ELSD detection, LC/MS (J-Sphere80-C18, 3.0×50mm, 4.1 min gradient, 5%[0.05% TFA/CH₃CN]:95%[0.05% TFA/H₂O] to 100%[0.05% TFA/CH₃CN]. Preparative purification was performed on a customHP1100 purification system (reference 16) with collection triggered bymass detection. Solvents for extraction, washing and chromatography wereHPLC grade. N-Boc-p-phenylenediamine was purchased from Fluka and1,2-benzenedisulfonyl dichloride was purchased from TCI America. Allother reagents were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. and were usedwithout purification.

Exemplary General Procedures:

Exemplary Scheme:

Exemplary Scheme—Pyrazolopyridines

Pyrazolopyridine Example:

1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridin-3-amine (4)

Potassium hydroxide (4.96 g, 88.4 mmol, 2.00 eq) was dissolved in DMSO(32 mL) and water (43 mL). 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridin-3-amine (5.93 g,44.2 mmol, 1.00 eq) was added dropwise as a solution in DMSO (76 mL).After 15 minutes, 4-methoxybenzyl chloride (1.16 ml, 46.4 mmol, 1.05 eq)was added dropwise and the reaction was allowed to stir overnight. Thereaction was poured into 1:1 EtOAc/water (500 mL) and the layers wereseparated. The aqueous phase was extracted with 3:1 CHCl₃/IPA (2×) andthe combined organics were concentrated. The residue was dissolved inethyl acetate and washed with water (2×). The aqueous phase was backextracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organics were dried(MgSO₄), concentrated and purified by flash chromatography on silica gelusing 0-25% DCM/(DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 89:10:1) to afford 6.92 g (62%) of thetitle compound as ayellow solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.26 (d,J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=4.3, 8.5 Hz, 1H),7.15 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 6.83 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 5.48 (s, 2H), 5.25 (s,2H), 3.68 (s, 3H); ES-MS [M+1]⁺: 255.2.

(R)-6-Bromo-1-((tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)oxy)isoquinoline (1)

(R)-tetrahydrofuran-3-ol (43.6 mg, 0.495 mmol, 1.20 eq) was dissolved inTHF (1 mL) and 1M potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF (0.495 mL,0.495 mmol, 1.20 eq) was added followed by 6-bromo-1-chloroisoquinoline(100 mg, 0.412 mmol, 1.00 eq) in THF (1 mL). The reaction was heated ina microwave reactor at 120° C. for 20 minutes, neutralized with 2N HCland concentrated. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gelusing 0-20% hexanes/ethyl acetate afforded 105 mg (87%) of the titlecompound as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.19 (s, 1H), 8.08(d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36(d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 5.70 (t, J=4.3 Hz, 1H), 4.01-3.77 (m, 4H), 2.34-2.25(m, 1H), 2.16-2.10 (m, 1H); ES-MS [M+1]⁺: 294.2.

(R)—N-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-yl)-1-((tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)oxy)isoquinolin-6-amine(2)

Compound 1 (98 mg, 0.333 mmol, 1.00 eq),1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-amine (102 mg, 0.400mmol, 1.20 eq), 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (28.9mg, 0.0500 mmol, 0.150 eq), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)(30.5 mg, 0.0330 mmol, 0.100 eq) and cesium carbonate (228 mg, 0.700mmol, 2.10 eq) were suspended in 1,4-dioxane (2.2 mL) in a sealed vialand heated at 100° C. overnight. The reaction was cooled, filtered overcelite and washed with 5% methanol in DCM. The organics wereconcentrated and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using0-15% DCM/(DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 89:10:1) to afford 145 mg (93%) of the titlecompound as a yellow solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.09 (s, 1H),8.64 (s, 1H), 8.58 (s, 1H), 8.30 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.86(d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.16(d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (s, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 5.70-5.65 (m, 1H), 5.54 (s,2H), 4.03-3.77 (m, 4H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 2.34-2.23 (m, 1H), 2.17-2.09 (m,1H); ES-MS [M+1]⁺: 469.2.

(R)—N-(1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-yl)-1-((tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)oxy)isoquinolin-6-amine(3)

Compound 2 (155 mg, 0.331 mmol, 1.00 eq) was dissolved intrifluoroacetic acid (2.5 mL) in a microwave vial and heated in amicrowave reactor at 150° C. for 15 minutes. The reaction wasconcentrated and purified by reverse-phase chromatography to afford 20mg (17%) of the title compound as ayellow solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d₆) δ9.99 (s, 1H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 8.04(d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.19(d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.70-5.65 (m, 1H), 4.02-3.77 (m, 4H), 2.34-2.23 (m,1H), 2.17-2.09 (m, 1H); ES-MS [M+1]⁺: 349.3.

Compound Structure ES-MS [M + 1]+ mGlu4 PAM EC50 (nM)  56

376.2 78.8  57

377.2 69.7  58

349.2 43.6  59

349.2 22.1  60

362.4 12.6  61

362.4 27.3  62

362.2 31.9  63

348.3 36.1  64

348.3 37.6  65

348.3 64  66

348 44.2  67

336.4 19.9  68

376.3 11.6  69

350.2 22.3  70

350.2 14.5  71

362.3 12  72

376.3 15.7  73

378.3 12.6  74

336.3 51.5  75

350.3 48.4  76

376.4 75.2  77

376.3 45.9  78

350.3 77.1  79

362.3 54.3  80

378.4 121.1  81

337.4 35.2  82

377.4 16.1  83

351.3 21.5  84

351.4 17.5  85

363.3 10.4  86

379.4 28.5  87

361.4 26.9  88

361.4 70.7  89

361.4 48.3  90

361.4 151.5  91

361.4 55.9  92

361.4 153.5  93

390.44 41.2  94

390.44 147.9  95

365.36 82.3  96

353.35 82.3  97

353.35 69  98

334.37 76.9  99

379.39 117.7 100

395.39 35.9

The following is a comprehensive DMPK table for embodiments of thepresent invention:

Brain- Rat Rat Rat in Vivo Rat F

Rat F

Brain- Plasma CLint CLhep CL

Cpd # Plasma Brain Plasma K

K

(mL/min/kg) (mL/min/kg) (mL/min/kg) 56 0.014 0.003 1.09 0.23 348 58.3 570.015 0.004 0.89 0.24 211 52.6 58 0.055 0.014 1.29 0.33 122 44.4 116 5960 0.030 0.008 1.44 0.39 94.1 40.1 81.6 61 0.040 0.005 1.83 0.23 33357.8 61.0 62 0.038 0.004 3.38 0.36 461 60.8 63 0.036 0.005 1.27 0.18 18150.5 64 0.042 0.007 1.22 0.20 94.8 40.3 59.8 65 0.043 0.003 1.28 0.09 660.047 0.006 0.87 0.11 210 52.5 67 0.039 0.007 1.11 0.20 113 43.2 82.2 680.009 0.001 1.06 0.12 69 0.023 0.005 1.23 0.27 70 0.032 0.006 2.56 0.48238 54.1 74.2 71 0.024 0.003 0.80 0.10 151 47.8 72 0.008 0.002 0.52 0.13273 55.7 73 0.039 0.010 0.57 0.15 120 44.2 32.7 74 0.041 0.007 0.59 0.10252 54.8 75 0.031 0.004 1.00 0.13 456 60.7 76 0.010 0.001 1.27 0.13 770.008 0.002 1.59 0.40 78 0.042 0.004 0.99 0.09 79 0.019 0.002 1.50 0.1680 0.037 0.007 0.46 0.09 376 59.0 81 0.048 0.015 0.40 0.13 74.4 36.1 820.020 0.004 0.47 0.09 154 48.1 84 0.027 0.008 1.11 0.33 145 47.2 850.019 0.013 0.66 0.45 95.7 40.4 36.9 86 0.057 0.018 0.35 0.11 58.1 31.787 61.0 32.6 39.1 88 0.032 0.003 2.22 0.21 79.9 37.3 43.3 89 204 52.1 91377 59.0 92 518 61.7 93 718 63.8 94 923 65.1 95 127 45.1 96 327 57.7 97161 48.8 98 216 52.9 99 227 53.5 100 156 48.3 Human Human CLint CLhepHuman F

Kinetic Cpd # (mL/min/kg) (mL/min/kg) Plasma 1A2 (μM) 2C9 (μM) 2D6 (μM)3A4 (μM) Solubility (μM) 56 72.3 16.3 0.007 8.43 3.56 22.22 22.64 5753.8 15.1 0.011 58 32.4 12.7 0.032 >30 >30 >30 >30 59 2.6 ± 1.6 60 16.18.79 0.020 5.68 3.9 23.49 12.34 61 44.0 14.2 0.028 5.86 6.04 19.65 4.2962 58.3 15.4 0.017 6.32 3.96 27.

4.76 10.3 ± 1.1  63 57.8 15.4 0.018 3.96 13.33 >30 22.34 64 29.1 12.20.020 7.99 10.6 >30 27.68 4.9 ± 0.6 65 0.028 66 37.9 13.50.019 >30 >30 >30 >30 67 35.2 13.2 0.024 4.76 22.02 >30 9.45 5.5 ± 0.568 0.008 69 0.017 9.9 ± 2.7 70 57.0 15.3 0.017 4.9

.

7 22.54 11.39 2.9 ± 0.4 71 41.1 13.9 0.015

.4

4.59 19.7 15.4 72 55.7 15.2 0.009 12.9 3.15 24.63 22.68 73 26.5 11.50.038 16.38 15.28 >30 29.48 2.4 ± 0.5 74 32.3 12.7 0.038 >30 >30 >30 >300.8 ± 0.3 75 71.8 16.2 0.021 76 0.008 77 0.013 78 0.023 79 0.018 <0.4 8022.4 10.8 0.033 >30 26.87 >30 >30 1.4 ± 0.1 81 38.5 13.6 0.0320.79 >30 >30 >30 0.9 ± 0.2 82 67.6 15.4 0.020 0.5 ± 0.2 84 75.3 16.40.019 85 41.2 13.9 0.026 >30 >30 >30 >30 0.6 ± 0.1 86 19.0 10.00.063 >30 >30 >30 >30 0.6 ± 0.2 87 16.0 9.07 15.85 1.85 >30 >30 0.7 ±0.4 88 18.1 9.71 0.010 17.02 >30 >30 >30 0.5 ± 0.2 89 37.8 13.5 2.7 ±0.4 91 109 17.6 3.3 ± 0.2 92 129 18.1 0.9 ± 0.2 93 136 18.2 20.5 ± 2.1 94 87.6 16.9 15.2 ± 1.5  95 40.3 13.6 0.4 ± 0.0 96 37.0 13.4 0.3 ± 0.297 96.8 17.3 1.0 ± 0.1 98 30.0 12.4 1.

± 0.2 99 36.8 13.4 0.7 ± 0.2 100 46.1 14.4 1.1 ± 0.6

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Otheraspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom consideration of the specification and practice of the inventiondisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as reaction conditions, and so forth usedherein are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the herein are approximations that mayvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be determined bythe present invention.

1. A compound having a structure of the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and: X is CH, orN; X₁ is CH, or N; X₂ is CH, or N; Y is CH, or N; R₁ is a four-sevenmembered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by at least one R₂),alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, or alkyl-O-Me; R₂ is H, CD₃,Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O; R₃ isindependently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy; R₄ is H, halogen, F,alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN; n is 0-6; provided that at leastone of Y and W is N; and provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1, of thefollowing formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 3. A compound of claim 1, of thefollowing formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 4. A compound of any one of the aboveclaims, wherein: n is 0, 1, or 2; and R₁ is tetrahydrofuran (optionallysubstituted by one or more R₂), tetrahydropyran (optionally substitutedby one or more R₂), morpholine (optionally substituted by one or moreR₂), alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy.
 5. A compound of claim 4,wherein R₂ is Me.
 6. A compound of one of claims 1-3, wherein R₁ is a4-7 membered saturated ring containing one ring oxygen.
 7. A compound ofclaim 1, of the following formula:


8. A compound of claim 1, of the following formula:


9. A compound of claim 1, of the following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 10. A method for the treatment of aneurotransmission dysfunction and other disease states associated withmGluR4 activity in a mammal comprising the step of administering to themammal at least one compound in a dosage and amount effective to treatthe dysfunction in the mammal, the compound having a structurerepresented by a compound of the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and: X is CH, orN; X₁ is CH, or N; X₂ is CH, or N; Y is CH, or N; R₁ is a four-sevenmembered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by at least one R₂),alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, or alkyl-O-Me; R₂ is H, CD₃,Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O; R₃ isindependently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy; R₄ is H, halogen, F,alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN; n is 0-6; provided that at leastone of Y and W is N; and provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The method of claim10, wherein the dysfunction is Parkinson's disease. 13-21. (canceled)22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having astructure represented by a compound of the following formula:

wherein the variables are substituted or unsubstituted and: X is CH, orN; X₁ is CH, or N; X₂ is CH, or N; Y is CH, or N; R₁ is a four-sevenmembered heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by at least one R₂),alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl-alkoxy, alkyl-amino, or alkyl-O-Me; R₂ is H, CD₃,Me, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, OMe, alkyl-OMe, CONH₂, CN, O; R₃ isindependently H, halogen, F, alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, CN,methoxy, alkoxy, alkyl-methoxy, alkyl-alkoxy; R₄ is H, halogen, F,alkyl, Me, CD₃, cycloalkyl, CF₃, or CN; n is 0-6; provided that at leastone of Y and W is N; and provided that one of X₁ and X₂ is N; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.
 23. A composition of claim 22, wherein the compound is of thefollowing formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof.
 24. A composition of claim 22, whereinthe compound is of following formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof. 25-45. (canceled)